Barre Town Meeting Approves $100,000 Broadband Fund After Debate

BARRE -- July 2, 2020, Barre's first outdoor annual Town Meeting approves $100,000 cable expansion fund and $285,000 ambulance. Held outside due to the pandemic, the July 2 session saw its longest debate over Article 21, a transfer from fiscal year 2019 free cash into a new dedicated account for cable and internet expansion on roughly six town roads currently without service. A Finance Committee motion to table the cable article until a fall Special Town Meeting was defeated by a show of cards after residents, including teachers, a mental health worker, and a Loring Road newcomer, described hardship under pandemic remote-work and remote-learning conditions. A selectman framed the $100,000 as a good-faith commitment needed to attract cable providers and state grant co-investment, with full build-out estimated at $700,000 to $800,000. The meeting also approved $285,000 to replace a 142,206-mile ambulance, a $45,000 police cruiser purchase, and a $50,000 transfer for parking lot repairs at the Ruggles Lane School, leaving approximately $160,000 in free cash with a Special Town Meeting expected in the fall.